More measures to strengthen consumer protections and improve affordability are on the way for the most financially vulnerable people in B.C., as part of B.C.’s Consumer Financial Protection Action Plan.

Many British Columbians are not immune to financial hardships and have to live paycheque to paycheque. For these people, a broken washing machine, unexpected car repair or paying for another basic necessity could leave them in a financially vulnerable position.

With no other choice but to seek high-cost loans from alternative lenders, they are often faced with terms and conditions that may be more than they can afford. Turning to a high-cost loan or other product could potentially leave the borrower trapped in an endless cycle of debt payments, plunging them further into poverty.

A new regulatory framework will provide stronger protections and safeguards, enabling British Columbians who use high-cost credit products to afford these types of products more readily and be better informed about borrowing money. This framework builds on previous changes, which introduced tougher rules on payday loans and cheque-cashing fees.

To strengthen protections for consumers, the proposed amendments to the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act include rules to:

• create borrowers’ rights and remedies;
• set limits on the total cost of borrowing;
• prohibit certain fees and charges;
• restrict the use of borrowers’ personal information;
• protect people from wage assignment, terms and conditions that are unfair, potentially harmful and expensive “hard sell” options, as well as enticements to enter into high-cost credit product agreements;
• require businesses that provide high-cost credit products to be licensed by Consumer Protection BC; and
• enable Consumer Protection BC to enforce the act’s amendments and future regulations.

In addition, changes to the act, if passed, will further build on changes from 2018 to strengthen payday lending laws, with new changes that include prohibiting the sale of insurance on payday loans.

A new consumer financial education fund will be established under the act to enhance consumer financial education throughout the province. The fund will be administered by Consumer Protection BC.

Learn More:

Borrowing Money website: www.gov.bc.ca/borrowing-money

Consumer Protection BC: www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/

Consumer Financial Protection Action Plan - Province introducing tougher rules on payday loans, cheque-cashing fees, June 25, 2018:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2018PSSG0044-001273